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VENTNOR’S efforts to get their season on track was halted again by the weather on Saturday.

Their Southern Electric Premier Division clash at Burridge fell victim to a tea time thunderstorm.

After being asked to bat first, the Islanders struggled to impose themselves throughout the innings and at one stage looked in real trouble at 60-4.

However, with teenager Ben Duggan (51) hitting his maiden Premier Division half century, and Neil Westhorpe contributing 56, Martin Blackman 33 and James Cheek 21, the visitors eventually totalled 198 all out from 61.1 overs.

Adam Wilson dismissed Sean Terry cheaply before the rains came at 29-1 to prevent any further play.

And things went from bad to worse on Sunday, when the side made a shock exit in the league’s T20 competition at Division 2 side Paultons.

The home side recovered from 30-3 to post 124-7 from their 20 overs, Hugh Calloway taking 2-9 for the visitors.

Neil Westhorpe (37 not out) and James Cheek (38) got Ventnor close but with a boundary required from the final delivery, Westhorpe could only manage a single, leaving Paultons to celebrate an unexpected three-run victory.

Meanwhile, Ventnor II’s continued their good season in Hampshire League Division 1 with a 70-run win over Purbrook.

South African Pierre Kriel hit ten fours and five sixes in a blistering knock of 89 while Rob Snell, returning from injury, made an impressive 72. With useful contributions of 23 from Pat Morris and 24 from Toby Corbin the home side set a formidable target of 272.

The visitors’ response was led by Josh Spiers with an excellent knock of 113 but once he departed at 183, the Ventnor bowlers mopped up the tail with little resistance, Barney Tyler taking 3-33, George Willis 2-18, Toby Corbin 2-29 and Charlie Calloway 2-46.